Countdown to No. 1: The Top 175 Maryland athletes in Baltimore Sun history

A Dunbar star in the 1960s, where he took the school to a Maryland Scholastic Association title, Kelly attended Bay College, where he led the nation in junior college scoring (40 points per game) and assists (13). A 6-foot-1 guard, he moved on to Wheeling Jesuit College, where, in two years, he...

A Dunbar star in the 1960s, where he took the school to a Maryland Scholastic Association title, Kelly attended Bay College, where he led the nation in junior college scoring (40 points per game) and assists (13). A 6-foot-1 guard, he moved on to Wheeling Jesuit College, where, in two years, he... (Baltimore Sun)

A two-time first-team All American, he led Towson (14-1) to the 1974 College Division national championship. Darcangelo, a midfielder, twice earned national Player of the Year honors. After college, he led the Maryland Lacrosse Club to the 1979 national title with a five-goal spree in the...

A two-time first-team All American, he led Towson (14-1) to the 1974 College Division national championship. Darcangelo, a midfielder, twice earned national Player of the Year honors. After college, he led the Maryland Lacrosse Club to the 1979 national title with a five-goal spree in the... (Baltimore Sun)

In the Bullets' early days, this Hall of Fame point guard took Baltimore to successive pro championships (1947 and 1948), becoming the first player-coach to win a league title. A deft playmaker and ballhandler, Jeannette was a four-time All-National Basketball League first-team pick. He later...

In the Bullets' early days, this Hall of Fame point guard took Baltimore to successive pro championships (1947 and 1948), becoming the first player-coach to win a league title. A deft playmaker and ballhandler, Jeannette was a four-time All-National Basketball League first-team pick. He later... (Baltimore Sun)

He won eight national championships in one-design classes and served as tactician aboard Ted Turner's Courageous, which defeated Australia for the 1977 America's Cup. A two-time college Sailor of the Year, the Annapolis resident was enshrined in the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011. Jobson...

He won eight national championships in one-design classes and served as tactician aboard Ted Turner's Courageous, which defeated Australia for the 1977 America's Cup. A two-time college Sailor of the Year, the Annapolis resident was enshrined in the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011. Jobson... (Baltimore Sun photo by Algerina Perna)

An All-America end at Notre Dame, he set pass-catching records there that stood for more than three decades. Joe Theismann's favorite receiver, Gatewood was the nation's second-leading receiver as a junior and captained the Irish in 1971. In high school, he led City College to four Maryland...

An All-America end at Notre Dame, he set pass-catching records there that stood for more than three decades. Joe Theismann's favorite receiver, Gatewood was the nation's second-leading receiver as a junior and captained the Irish in 1971. In high school, he led City College to four Maryland... (Baltimore Sun)

To celebrate the 175th anniversary of The Baltimore Sun, reporter Mike Klingaman has compiled a list of the top 175 athletes who were either born or raised in the state of Maryland, or who competed here for at least three years. The athletes are ranked based on their performance, their...